[Fr. entrechat, ad. It. (capriola) intrecciata a complicated caper, f. intrecciare, f. in in + treccia tress, plait.] A figure or feat in dancing, in which the performer, during a leap from the ground, strikes the heels together a number of times.
1775. Jeans, in Lett. 1st Earl Malmesbury (1870), I. 309. He found that he was incapable of himself to rival his brother performer in his entrechats.
1821. Edgeworth, Mem., II. 120. He could actually complete an entrechat of ten distinct beats.
1826. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. II. (1863), 282. Such pirouettes and entrechats as none but French heels could achieve.
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg., House Warming. Gracious me what an entrechat! Oh, what a bound!
